After the time for declarations of support and condemnation, comes the time for actions.
Now what can they be?
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, most micronations have condemned President Putin's decision to invade a sovereign state. Some take sides with Ukraine and others advocate peace and an end to hostilities, putting the belligerents back to back. In any case, no micronation has declared itself in favor of the Russian president and all make the distinction between the Russian people who are not necessarily unanimous with the decision of their president.
Now that all of these views have been expressed, what can micronations actually do? Several things if we look closely at certain statements that have appeared on social networks and the websites of several micronations.
Fundraising from humanitarian organizations is a first option chosen in particular by the Principality of Aigues-Mortes. The Chancellery has sent an e-mail to all citizens of the Principality with a list of humanitarian funds to which donations can be made. These funds are mostly intended for the provision of food, clothing and medical equipment.
The boycott of supplies made in Russia is a second option which has been applied by the Principality of Woodlandia located in Canada. This micronation has suspended the purchase of its flags from its Russian supplier. House of DeHerrera also made this commitment in a video address by their King William from their Embassy in Queen Creek, Arizona.
A third option is to be active in public demonstrations as planned by Lord Watitune, Head of State of the New Weddington Islands. He invited some of his fellow citizens to join him in this process. The aim is to show support and solidarity with the Ukrainian expatriate community residing in Canberra, Australia. Together, they will join speakers from the Ukrainian community in Canberra, as well as MPs, and heads of human rights organizations to speak out against violence in Ukraine. The appointment is made for Friday, March 11 in a park in Canberra.
A final option is the direct assistance offered by the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Flandrensis in Hungary to citizens of the micronation requiring temporary accommodation. For his part, Grand Duke Nicholas of Flandrensis set a good example by personally contacting each of his fellow Russians and Ukrainians citizens by email. He made sure that each of them was safe and healthy.
With this dramatic conflict between two brotherly countries, the micronations find themselves faced with their limits. In this context, it is no longer a question of drawings of military uniforms and presenting medals. Instead, it is about actions, ideas and solutions to demonstrate the usefulness of micronations and their ability to play a humanitarian role.
We have just mentioned a few options which demonstrate that several micronations are already reacting to provide assistance according to their means. Micronations offer universal space and boundless creativity. We can therefore look forward to other humanist initiatives to come. That will prove that micronationalists can make a difference.
